Most students struggle with pacing because the ACT Math section gives you 60 minutes for 60 questions—that's only one minute per problem. Many rush through easier questions to save time for harder ones, or spend too long on a single difficult problem. A tutor can help you develop a strategic approach: skip and return to harder questions, identify which problem types you can solve quickly, and practice timed drills to build speed without sacrificing accuracy.

The best way is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions and analyze your results by topic—algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis. Look for patterns: Are you missing certain question types? Do you run out of time? Are specific concepts unclear? Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can review your practice tests, pinpoint exactly where you're losing points, and create a focused study plan so you're not wasting time on topics you already know.

Most students benefit from taking 3-5 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their study period—ideally one every 2-3 weeks. This gives you enough data to identify patterns in your mistakes and measure progress without burning out. Between practice tests, focus on drilling specific problem types and concepts where you struggled. A tutor can help you use practice tests strategically: reviewing them for understanding rather than just checking answers, and adjusting your study plan based on what each test reveals.

Test anxiety often comes from feeling unprepared or panicking when you encounter a hard problem. Building confidence through consistent practice and mastering test-taking strategies helps significantly—when you know you've practiced similar problems and have a solid game plan, anxiety decreases naturally. A tutor can also teach you calming techniques specific to test day: how to quickly move past a problem that's stumping you, use your scratch paper effectively, and maintain focus through all 60 questions.

ACT Math questions test your conceptual understanding and problem-solving speed in ways that are different from traditional homework. They often require you to work backwards from answer choices, apply multiple concepts in one problem, or solve in creative ways that aren't always the textbook method. For students in Mesa with varying math backgrounds, a tutor familiar with ACT-specific strategies can teach you how to recognize question patterns, use shortcuts, and think like the test makers—skills that go beyond standard classroom math.

Your first session is about understanding where you stand and what you need. A tutor will likely review your practice test results (or give you a diagnostic), ask about your target score and timeline, and identify which math topics need the most work. You'll leave with a clear picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and a personalized study plan. From there, sessions focus on teaching strategies, working through problem types you find challenging, and building the speed and confidence you need for test day.

Most students benefit from 5-8 hours of focused ACT Math study per week for 8-12 weeks before test day. This breaks down to maybe 1-2 hours with a tutor and 3-5 hours of independent practice, drills, and review. The quality of your study matters more than quantity—strategic practice on weak areas beats mindless problem-solving. A tutor can help you structure your weekly study time, assign targeted practice between sessions, and adjust the intensity based on your progress and how close you are to test day.